Currently All David Rosales Jewelry Requires 6 Weeks To Make
When it comes to contemporary Native American Jewelry, few names carry as much weight as David Rosales. Based in Gallup, New Mexico, David has built a reputation as one of the top designers in the Southwest. For decades, he has worked alongside skilled Navajo artisans who bring his creative visions to life through intricate stone inlay and masterful silverwork. His jewelry is known for combining traditional Native techniques with modern design, which has earned him recognition and admiration from collectors across the country. Each piece of David Rosales Jewelry carries with it a balance of artistry, craftsmanship, and originality.
What sets David Rosales apart from many other jewelry designers is his use of distinctive color collections. Each collection is built around a specific palette of stones, carefully chosen to complement one another. This makes it easy for customers to create matching sets of rings, pendants, earrings, and bracelets. For example, his well-known collections such as Blue Sky or Shalako combine turquoise, opal, and other stones into vibrant inlays that are instantly recognizable. Because each design within a collection uses the same colors, collectors can mix and match pieces with confidence, knowing they will always work together.
David typically introduces a new collection only once or twice a year, which makes each release highly anticipated. These collections are the result of months of thought, experimentation, and collaboration with his team of Navajo artisans. The limited frequency of new designs means that every collection carries a sense of freshness and exclusivity. Over time, many of his past collections have become especially prized among collectors because they represent a specific chapter in his evolving artistry.
You can read more about David Rosales Jewelry in this article.
This Rosarita cross pendant and earrings would make a great matching set!
The newest release from David Rosales is the Rosarita Collection, and it is unlike any of his past designs. Rosarita is a fascinating material with a history that makes it stand apart from gemstones and other stones you usually see in jewelry. Rosarita was first produced in the mid-20th century as a byproduct of refining gold. During the old smelting process, impurities separated out and created a rich, glass-like material with brilliant shades of red. Jewelers and lapidary artists quickly realized how beautiful this material was and began cutting it for use in jewelry, carvings, and even decorative objects.
What makes Rosarita so unique is its depth of color. It ranges from glowing scarlet to deep burgundy, sometimes with swirling patterns that give it movement and texture. Because the process that produced Rosarita is no longer used, the material is finite and rare. Once existing supplies are gone, there will be no way to make more. This makes Rosarita Jewelry both visually striking and collectible, offering something truly different from traditional gemstones.
Another key difference with the Rosarita Collection is its use of a single color. Most of David Rosales’ designs feature a mix of turquoise, opal, sugilite, and other stones combined into vibrant color collections. With Rosarita, the focus is solely on one bold red. The result is jewelry that feels more intense and dramatic, with a power all its own.
Somewhat anecdotally, Rosarita seems to be gaining popularity in Native American jewelry beyond David Rosales’ designs. We’ve noticed more artists incorporating this material into their work. In fact, we recently came across a piece by one of the top Native American jewelers that featured Rosarita alongside other stones. While the piece was absolutely stunning, its price was several thousand dollars higher than David’s jewelry.
While every piece in this line is worth admiring, a few stand out as especially memorable.
The Rosarita Heritage Cuff Bracelet is a true showstopper. Its wide inlay section showcases the richness of Rosarita in a way that smaller pieces simply cannot. The swirling patterns within the stone seem to glow when the light hits them, and the silver designs along the sides add depth and texture. This bracelet is big enough to draw attention but not uncomfortable to wear. It is the kind of piece you could easily build an entire outfit around and is the peak piece of jewelry from our new Rosarita Collection.
The David Rosales Heritage Cuff Bracelet showcases the spectacular depth of the red Rosarita.
The Rosarita Guitar Pick Pendant is another favorite. This pendant is one of the most intricate inlays in the entire collection, with a raised triangular center that gives it incredible dimension. The guitar pick shape is also a fun nod to David Rosales’ own love of music and his background as a guitarist. It is a pendant that feels artistic and personal, while being striking enough to wear as a statement piece. As an added bonus, David Rosales himself wears this guitar pick pendant, though inlaid with different stones. It is special knowing that this pendant design is one of David's personal favorites.
The Rosarita Guitar Pick Pendant features a raised triangular piece in the middle. This technique is much more challenging than normal inlay work.
For something a little different, the Rosarita and CZ Ring pairs fiery Rosarita with the sparkle of a clear cubic zirconia. The contrast between the glassy red inlay and the shimmering CZ stone creates a striking balance of color and light. It feels contemporary and elegant while still carrying the distinctive inlay work that defines David Rosales Jewelry. This is the type of ring that can go from everyday wear to a special evening out without missing a beat due to its dainty size. This ring is the only current piece from the collection to feature a different stone paired with the Rosarita.
The CZ in this ring adds sparkle to the red inlay. Its dainty size makes it comfortable to wear daily.
See our full David Rosales Rosarita Jewelry Collection here. Do be aware that the David Rosales jewelry available on-hand is different than what is listed on our website. Any piece can be ordered with Rosarita, it just takes some time for these Native American artists to craft. In addition, there are a few pieces from this collection that are only available in-store. Please stop by to see these!
The solid red coloring of Rosarita makes it surprisingly versatile, but there are a few ways to get the most out of these pieces.
Pair with Neutrals: Black, white, gray, or cream make the red inlay pop. A simple black dress or a white blouse is the perfect backdrop for a Rosarita pendant or necklace.
Complement with Earth Tones: Deep browns, tans, and warm golds harmonize beautifully with Rosarita’s scarlet coloring, giving an outfit a natural, Southwestern-inspired look.
Seasonal Style: Rosarita Jewelry shines in fall and winter when rich, warm colors are most popular, but it also makes a bold summer accessory when paired with crisp whites or denim. It really is versatile!
Layer Thoughtfully: A Rosarita cuff paired with a narrow Rosarita band ring and matching pendant creates a set that feels complete without being overwhelming. The color's intensity means that a matching set will not go unnoticed!
Occasion Versatility: While bold, Rosarita pieces can be dressed up or down. A bar necklace sits nicely at the collarbone for a refined look, while our horse pendant adds character and playfulness for more casual days.
The Rosarita Collection by David Rosales is a remarkable new chapter in contemporary Native American Jewelry. With its bold single-color focus, it feels more dramatic than his other collections while still carrying the same attention to detail and artistry that collectors have come to expect. Whether you are drawn to the powerful presence of the Heritage Cuff, the musical inspiration behind the Guitar Pick Pendant, or the sparkle and contrast of the Rosarita and CZ Ring, this collection offers something truly unique.
For anyone looking to add a statement piece to their collection, Rosarita Jewelry is not only beautiful but also rare. Each piece is handcrafted in Gallup, New Mexico, ensuring you receive a work of art with a story to tell.
The David Rosales Rosarita Crusader Ring makes for a sharp man's style. This collection looks great for both men and women!
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